Wall form panel



A. H. SYMONS WALL FORM PANEL J1me 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1950 A. H. SYMONS WALL FORM PANEL June 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 15 1950 forms.

Patented June 2, 1953 WALL FORM PANEL Arthur H. Symons, Chicago, 111., assignor to Symons Clamp & Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 15, 1950, Serial No. 161,907

2 Claims. 8

The present invention relates generally to wall More particularly vthe invention relates to that type of wall form which is adapted for use in the formation of a concrete wall and comprises: (1) a series of upstanding edge to edge panels of the rectangular facing and reenforcing frame variety; (2) a second series of similar upstanding panels in opposed and spaced apart relation with the panels of the first series; (3) horizontal combined tie and spreader members which extend between the two series of panels and have apertured ends between the frames of the panels; (4) head and shank variety bolts which extend through the apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members and registering holes in adjacent portions of the frames of the panels and have longitudinal slots in the outer ends of their shanks; and (5) wedges which extend through the slots in the outer ends of the shanks of the bolts and when driven tightly into place coact with the bolts to connect the panels to the ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also to clamp the panels together in edge to edge relation.

As evidenced by United States patent application Serial No. 81,962, filed by me on March 17, 1949, it has heretofore been proposed in connection with the fabrication or manufacture of a wall form of the aforementioned type to form the facings of the panels of plywood and to form the reenforcing frames for the panels of steel angle bars consisting of coplanar flanges which abut against, and are suitably fixedly secured to, the rear faces of the margins of the plywood facings and rearwardly extending flanges which extend at right angles to, and are joined to the outer margins of, the coplanar flanges, embody holes therethrough for the shanks of the bolts and have welded to their outer faces flat, longitudinally extending, steel strips which are spaced apart adjacent the holes to form recesses for accommodating the apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members and have the front margins thereof projecting beyond the front faces of the coplanar flanges in order to form with said coplanar flanges rectangular seats in which the marginal portions of the plywood facings fit snugly. In practice it has been found that a wall form, the panels of which are fabricated or constructed in the aforementioned manner is subject to certain objections. In the first place the panels, due to the fact that the angle bars and the flat separately formed longitudinally extending strips are formed of steel are heavy andunwieldyand hence may. not be. readily installed and removed. Secondly, the flat separately formed horizontally extending strips which are welded to the outer side faces of the rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars constituting the facing-reenforcing frames. sometimes become dislodged or disconnected and hence render useless the panels of the form.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a wall form which is an improvement upon, and eliminates the objections to, previously designed forms of the same general design and construction and is characterized by the fact that the facing-reenforcing frames are formed of light metal, such as magnesium, and the rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars that constitute the frames of the panels, instead of being provided on the outer side faces thereof with flat separately formed longitudinally extending strips, embody at the front margins thereof coplanar integral extensions which lap the edges of the plywood facings and define with the coplanar flanges rectangular seats in which the marginal portions of the facings fit snugly. By forming the angle bars of the panel frames of light metal the panels as a whole are light in weight and hence may be manipulated into and out of place with facility; and by providin the rearwardly extending flanges with coplanar forwardly extending extensions instead of separately formed'strips the panel frames are not likely to break and hence have an extremely long life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall form of the last mentioned character in which the rear side margins of the rearwardly xtending flanges of the angle bars and the front side margins of the coplanar extensions have integral, outwardly and laterally extending, full length ribs which, when the panels are in assembled relation, form between the panel frames closed spaces for receiving and accommodating the apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wall form of the type and character under consideration in which the outwardly and laterally extending ribs on the front side margins of the coplanar extensions have notches which are in horizontal alignment with the bolt receiving holes in the rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars and serve to accommodate the portions of the combined tie and spreader members that are directly inwards of the apertured bolt receiving ends.

Astillfurther object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form which is generally of new and improved construction, may be fabricated or manufactured at a comparatively low cost, effectivel and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose and, due to the particular design and construction of the panels thereof, possesses extremely long life.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present wall form will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and for-ma part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corre= sponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a perspective View of a concrete wall form embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in end elevation and partly in vertical transversesec- 'tion, illustrating in detail the manner in which the combined tie spreader members together with the bolts and wedges serve to hold the panels of the two series in spaced apart and connected relation;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan View showing the manner in which the outwardly and laterally extending full length ribs on the rear side marof the rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars and the front side margins of the coplanar extensioi is of the rearwardly extending flanges serve to form "closed spaces for the apertur'ed ends of the combined tie and spreader members;

Figure '4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 ornigure'z; Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspect'ive view of certain adjacent corner portions of two of the panels of the wall form; V

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the wedges; and t Figure 7 is a perspective View of sneer the head and shankjvariety bolts.

The wa'l'l form which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is adapted for use in the formation of a concrete Well (not shown) and comprises two similar series of upstanding edge to edge panels it, combined tie and spreader members II for holding the two series of panels against relative lateral displacement, and bolts i2 and wedges 3 for connecting the panels to the ends of the combined tie and spreader memhers and also holding the panels in edge to edge relation. The two series of panels are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the desired thficknes's of the concrete wall to be formed therebetween and are adapted to have concrete poured between them for wall forming purposes. After setting "or hardening of the concrete the panels ID are removed from the sides "of the wall and the projecting ends of the combined tie :and spreader members I l are severed "or broken oif as wen understood in the art.

The panels iii are all the same in size, "design and construction and each "consists "of a recta'hg'u-lar facing I 3 and a rectangular frame Y l5. The 'fa'cings '4 of the panels ID are preferably termed of plywood, although if desired, plain or regular wood may be employed. They are of uniform thickness throughout their entire areas and have fiat front faces. By reason of the fact that the front faces of the panel facings are fiat the sides of the concrete wall that is formed between the two series of panels are uniform and likewise fiat.

The frames 15 serve to reenforce or strengthen the plywood facings i 4 and are for the most part located rearwards of the facings. They are formed of light metal, such as magnesium, and comprise one-piece angle bars It, flat crosspieces I1, and extensions IS. The angle bar's I6 consist of inwardly extending coplanar flanges l9 and rearwardly extending right angle flanges 20. Certain of the angle bars I 55 extend vertically and are laterally spaced and the other angle bars are positioned horizontally and extend between the ends of the vertically extending angle bars. The ends of the vertically and horizontally extending angle bars are mitered and are rigidly connected together by welding. Ordinarily the panels I!) are positioned so that they are vertically elongated although it is to be understood that, if desired, the panels may be arranged so that they are horizontally elongated. The inwardly ex tending coplanar flanges is of the angle bars 16 fit flatly against the rear faces of the marginal portions of the facings I l and are secured to said facings by rivets iii. The latter are of the split shank variety and extend through holes 22 in the coplanar flanges l9. Preferably the rivets are of such length that the inner ends thereof do not extend through the front faces of theiplywood facings it. The rearwardly extending flanges 26 of th angle bars 1'6 extend "at right angles to, and are formed integrally with, the outer mar ins of the coplanar flanges "I 9 and have inwards of their ends tran versely elongated holes 23. As best shown in Figure 4 the innerside faces of the rearwardly extending flanges '20 lie in the same planes as the edges of the plywood facings 14. Preferably each of the rearwardly extending flanges has a plurality of holes 23 and such holes are spaced equidistantly apart. The fiat crosspieces =i-l extend horizontallyand are disposed inwards of and "in parallel 'ielationwith, the horizontally extending angle bars. They ax tend between the vertically extending angle bars and have the ends thereof welded to the inner side faces of the rearward-1y extending flanges 0f the VrtlGa11y extending angle bars at oints directly beneath certain of the holes 23 in such angle bars. The inner corners of the cros's'pie'ce's l? have notches iii in order to accommodate the coplanar flanges of the Vertically extending angle bars. The inner edges of the crosspieces abut against the rear faces of the plywoodraa ings in order that the crosspieces serve to Teen force the racingsagainst rearward deflection or bending. Preferably there are two crcsspl'e'ce's for each rectangular frame '15, as shown in Fig 'ure -1, although it is 'to be understood that "ad-di tional crosspie'c'es may be employed iii the frame is vertically elongated to an appreciable extent. The extensions 1 a areform'e'd integrally with, and project forwards rrcm, the front side margins-oi the rearwaidly extending flanges 2J-ani i are in coplanar relation with the latter. They lap or nt flatly against the edges or the plywood teen-res and define with tnecopla'nar flanges I 9 rectangular seats in which the marginal portions or the iacings fit snugly. shown the' dr'awings the front side edges of the extensions "I 8 "are flush with the front faces of the facings. The forwardly extending extensions l8 protect the edges of the "plywood facings M against chipping or splitting. The rear side "margins of the rearwardly extending flanges 29- 'a're provided with outwardly and :laterally extending tall lengthmtegral ribs 25 and. the front side margins of the extensions l8 are provided with outwardly and laterally extending full length integral ribs 26. When the panels H! are arranged in edge. to edge relation as shown in Figure 1, the. ribs 25 abut against one another and also the ribs 26 abut against one another. The ribs 25 and 26 are the same in width and form substantially closed spaces 21 between the frames of the panels. The outwardly and laterally extending ribs 26 on the front side margins of the extensions 18 have formed therein notches 28 and these are horizontally aligned with the transversely elongated holes 23 in the rearwardly extending flanges 25 of the angle bars IS.

The combined tie and spreader members I 1 ex- .tend horizontally between the two opposed spaced apart series of panels it]. They are preferably formed of steel rods and have at the ends thereof closed loops 29 which define apertures 3b. In connection with assembly of the wall form the ends of the combined tie and spreader members H are inserted through the notches 28 into the closed spaces between the ribs 25 and -26 and are manipulated so as to arrange the apertures 36 in registry with the transversely extending holes 23 in the rearwardly extending flanges 26 of the angle bars it. As shown in the drawings the notches 28 are slightly longer than the loops 29 are wide in order that the loops may be inserted through the notches into the closed spaces 21.

' The bolts l2 embody flat tapered shanks 3! and heads 32 at the large ends of the shanks. The shanks of the bolts are adapted to extend through the apertures 38 in the ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also the holes 23 in the rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars l8. In assembling the wall form the panels are positioned in edge to edge relation and then the combined tie and spreader members are manipulated so as to dispose the apertured ends thereof in the closed spaces 21 between the ribs and 26. Thereafter the bolts are shifted into their operative position by inserting the shanks 3! thereof through the apertures 33 and the transversely elongated holes 23 and then driving the belts in the direction of the small ends of the shanks until the heads 32 are brought into abutment with the inner side faces of the adjacent rearwardly extending flanges 20. The small ends of the shanks of the bolts are provided with longitudinally extending slots 33.

The wedges I3 are preferably formed of comparatively heavy stamped metal and are adapted to fit Within, and extend through, the slots 33 in the small ends of the shanks of the bolts I2. When driven into place the wedges I3 bear against the inner side faces of the adjacent rearwardly extending flanges of the angle bars and serve to hold the bolts against longitudinal displacement. The wedges and bolts coact to connect the panels to the ends of the combined tie and spreader members H and also to clamp the panels together in edgewise relation. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings the ends of the flat crosspieces ll of the panel frames !5 have slots 34 for accommodating the Wedges that coact with those bolts that extend through the rearwardly extending flanges of the vertically extending angle bars of the frames.

In assembling the form the panels are positioned in two opposed spaced apart series, as heretofore pointed out. Thereafter the ends of the combined tie and spreader members II are inserted through the notches 28 into the closed spaces 21 between the ribs 25 and 26. After proper manipulation of the combined tie and spreader members the bolts l2 are inserted into place and then the Wedges l3 are driven through the slots 33 in the shanks of the bolts. I As soon as the form is assembled concrete is poured into the space between the two series of panels. Upon hardeningor solidifying of the concrete the panels are dismantled by removing the wedges l3 from the 'boltsand then sliding the bolts lengthwise in the direction of their heads 32. As soon as the Wedgesand bolts are removed the panels are free and hence may be removed by shifting them away from the sides of the wall. After removal of the panels the projecting loop equipped ends of the combined tie and spreader members H are severed or broken off adjacent the sides of the wall as heretofore described] The herein describedwall form effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose and. is capable of being assembled and dismantled with facility, It has extremely long life so far as the panels iii are concerned and this is directly attributable to the fact that the reenforcing frames H: for the plywood facings I l include the integral extensions l8 which are in coplanar relation with the rearwardly extending flanges 2i! and form with the coplanar flanges l9 rectangular seats in which the marginal portions of'the plywood facings fit snugly. By reason of the fact that the reenforcing frames 15 are formed of magnesium the panels of the form are light inweight and hencemay bereadily' assembled and dismantled.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a panel adapted to be placed in edge to edge relation with like panels for purposes of forming a wall form and comprising a rectangular facing and a unitary facing-reenforcing frame in the form of four angle bars arranged in rectangular relationship around the facing and consisting of rigid inwardly extending coplanar flanges fitting against and secured to the rear face of the marginal portion of the facing, rigid rearwardly extending right angle flanges connected to the outer margins of the coplanar flanges, embodying spaced apart transverse bolt-receiving holes therein, and having on the rear side margins thereof outwardly and laterally extending integral ribs, and rigid extensions formed integrally with, and projecting forwards from, the front side margins of the rearwardly extending flanges, disposed in truly coplanar relation with said rearwardly extending flanges and in lapped relation with the edges of the facing, forming with the coplanar flanges a rectangular seat in which the marginal portion of the facing fits snugly, havmg the front edges thereof flush with the front face of the facing, and having on their front side margins outwardly and laterally extending integral full length ribs, the last mentioned ribs being of the same thickness as the first mentioned ribs, forming with said first mentioned ribs spaces for receiving certain apertured ends of combined tie and spreader members and having formed therein spaced apart notches in alignwardly extending flanges and adapted to accomment with the bolt-receiving holes in the rearsesame 3 model-tie the portions of the 'comblnedc tie :and spreader members that. are adjacent isaidxecertain apertnned ends and to locate and hold said certain a-pertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members in registry with said holes.

2. .As a new article of manu tacture, a panel adapted to be placed-in edge to edge relation with like panels for purposes of forminga wall .form and comprising 59, rectangular plywood dacing and a facing-ween forcing frame in the form of tour separately formed one piece angle bars formed of slight weight metal, arranged in rectangular relationship :around the facing, hav- Ling mitered welded-together ends, and consisting of rigid inwardly extending eoplanar flanges fitting directly against andzsecuredto therear'face of the imanginad,,-portion of the faeing,1rigidrearward-1y extending right angle flanges nonnected :to, and formed integrally with, the outer margins of the coplanar flanges embodying spaced-expert transverse shalt-receiving holes then-rein, having their inner side faces lying in the same tplanes :as the edges of the facing, and :having the rear side thereofioutwardly and laterally :entending integral full length continuous ribs,

and rigid extension-s vfonned integrally with, and projectmg forwards from, the :firont side margins of the rearwandly extending flanges, disposed in truly ceplanar relation with saidrearwardly extending flanges and in lapped relation with the edges of the facing, fanning withnthemcop'lanar flanges a rectangular seat in which the marginal portion set the facing fits snugly, having the from; edges thereof flush with the front face 'of the \facing, and having their front side margins outwardly and laterally extending integral full length :ribs, the last mentioned ribs being of the (same thielmess as the first mentioned ribsdorming with said first mentioned sibs spaces for receiving -.ce1:tain apertured ends of combined tie and spreader members, and having formed therein spaced apart notches corresponding in number "to and in alignment with the:bo1-t-1'-eceiving.ho1es in the rearwardly extending flanges :and adapted to accommodate the portions of the combined tie and spreader members that are adjacent said certain apertured ends and to locate "and hold said certain apertured ends of the combined tie :and spreader members in registry with said holes.

ARTHUR H. LSYMONS.

References Cited. in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,129,144 Venable Feb. 193,5 1,970547 Anderson Aug. .21, 1934 2,380,692 Gunnison July 31, 1945 $459,719 Pirz Jan. 18, .1949

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date,

524,609 Great Britain We--- Aug 9, .1940 

